§ 14. Mr. Allasonasked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he will seek powers to grant interest-free loans to United Kingdom residents in receipt of pensions from Pakistan, who have had their pensions reduced as a result of the devaluation of the Indian rupee, until their pension cuts have been restored.
§ Mr. OramThe responsibility for paying these pensions at the former rate is without question a matter for the two Governments concerned. We have made strong representations to the two Governments.
§ Mr. AllasonDo the Government still stand by the undertaking given in 1955 by the Government that such pensioners can have faith that the Government will look after their interests should they fall on evil times?
§ Mr. OramYes, Sir; we stand by that undertaking. In relation to this specific difficulty—we regret, of course, that these people have had their pensions reduced in this way—I will, exceptionally and without derogating from the position that Her Majesty's Government have no direct responsibility in the matter, nevertheless consider the possibility of making loan advances as a temporary arrangement to any individual pensioner who is suffering serious hardship because of the reduction in his pension.
§ Mr. EllisWill my hon. Friend look at the whole case and not just the exceptional ones? These people have done their service on the sub-continent. Will my hon. Friend look at the whole matter? Will he also say how many are involved and what the expense would be?
§ Mr. OramWe are constantly looking at the whole case. We have constantly been in touch with the Governments of both Pakistan and India on the matter, and the High Commissioners have 1228 recently been in touch in Rawalpindi and New Delhi. So there is no question of our not having done all that is possible. As to the numbers, 21 have made their cases known to us. I would stress that this is a matter for the Pakistan Government, and we have no full information from them about the full number.
§ Mr. BraineIs it correct to say that this is solely a matter for the Pakistan Government? Does not this House always show a keen interest in the pension arrangements of overseas civil servants who have served both their countries abroad and this country very well? May we associate ourselves with the suggestion by the hon. Member for Bristol, North-West (Mr. Ellis) that the whole question should be looked at again to ensure that justice is done to these public servants?
§ Mr. OramThere is no doubt where the responsibility for these pensions lies, and that is with the Pakistan Government. The difficulty about the pensions arises out of the settlement with the India and Pakistan Governments at the time of independence in 1947.